Maywood Park

CARDINAL AND VIOLET FINALS ON FRIDAY

Mr. Bedrock

There figures to be action aplenty Friday night at Maywood Park as Illinois’ best two-year-old pacers of both sexes are featured in the $60,350 Cardinal Stake Final for the colts and the $54,800 Violet Stake Final for the fillies.

Fresh off a convincing 6 ¼ length romp in his elimination division last week, the Roger Welch-trained He’s So Hot has been installed as the 2-1 morning favorite from post position two in the Cardinal Final. The gelded son of Sportsmaster had no trouble overcoming post position seven in that elimination score as he shrugged off a tough first-over journey before drawing away in the lane to win in 1:54.4. The victory was the sixth in nine starts this year for the Governor’s Cup and Mini Me Stake champion who now boasts earnings of $78,441.

The Robert Taylor-trained and driven Mr. Bedrock was also very impressive while taking his elimination in 1:56.2 despite being first over for the final five-eighths of a mile. The Richess Hanover colt has been first or second in eight of 11 starts this season while earning over $108,000 for the Mack Racing Stables.

Another to keep an eye on is the late blooming Fox Valley Mercury, who posted a come-from-behind victory in 1:55.4 last week. After a late start to his freshman campaign, the Homer Hochstetler trainee now sports a record of 4-3-1 in 10 starts and he is the fastest youngster in this group with his 1:52.1 clocking at Balmoral Park.

Pardon

Pardon has been at the top of the filly ranks all season long and this good-looking daughter of Richess Hanover will be the one to beat despite drawing post position seven in the Violet Final. The Dirk Simpson trainee stormed right to the top in her elimination score, making every call a winning one in 1:55.4. A winner in 10 of 11 career starts with a mark of 1:52.3, the pride of owner Richard Balog has banked over $132,000 and she has been installed as the 7-5 morning line favorite.

Fox Valley Touche has been the only one to knock off Pardon this season, beating her by three-quarters of a length in the Filly Orange & Blue on Super Night, and from post position two this daughter of Sportsmaster figures to offer a stiff challenge once again. The Joel Smith trainee was a wire-to-wire winner in her Violet elimination in 1:55.0, and she comes into tonight’s affair with a three-race winning streak and victories in four of her last six outings.

The ultra-consistent Little Miss Henry has to be considered here as well after posting a neck decision in her elimination. The Curtis Rice-owned and trained daughter of Henry Clay has 10 wins this year and has been on the board in 17 of her 18 lifetime starts.